USMMA Athletics Act of 2025

Summary

Creates a U.S. Department of Transportation–owned New York nonprofit (a 501(c)(3)) to support athletic programs at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The Department may transfer certain non-real property assets to the nonprofit, enter contracts and cooperative agreements (including specified sole-source authority), accept and retain funds and gifts, license Academy trademarks, and rent Academy property to the nonprofit for up to five years, with receipts available until expended. Authorizes limited DOT employee participation on the nonprofit's board (no pay beyond travel expenses), requires safeguards to avoid appearance of impropriety, and amends existing law to explicitly permit trademark licensing and use of licensing fees for trademark program costs and Academy recruiting when receipts exceed needs.

• Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to create a New York 501(c)(3) nonprofit wholly owned by the United States to support USMMA athletics.
• Permits transfer of DOT nonappropriated fund assets (not real property) and rental of Academy real property to the nonprofit for up to five years.
• Allows DOT employees to serve on the nonprofit board (up to one-third of directors) without pay beyond travel expenses and without daily operational roles.
• Grants contracting and cooperative agreement authority, including limited sole-source contract authority subject to certain federal procurement rules.
• Authorizes licensing of USMMA trademarks, retention of licensing fees for program costs, and use of excess licensing receipts for USMMA recruiting.
• Permits acceptance and retention of funds, gifts, ticketing and sponsorship revenues notwithstanding certain federal receipt rules, with receipts available until expended.
• Requires safeguards to avoid appearance of partiality or compromise of DOT integrity in accepting funds or entering marketing/sponsorship deals.
• Limits federal liability for services provided to the nonprofit and sets boundaries on nonprofit governance and operations.